Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Richmond Police investigators need the public’s help to identify and find the man pictured below who robbed a convenience store.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. on April 13, the suspect, armed with a shotgun, entered the Lucky’s Convenience Store at 418 Cowardin Avenue and he robbed the clerk at the counter. He fled the store on foot toward Bainbridge Street.

The suspect is a black male. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt. Surveillance photos are attached.

Anyone with any information about this person or this incident is asked to call Detective Greg Russell at (804) 646-8171 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637 first using the word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

BACKGROUND:Chief Bryan T. Norwood promotes the largest group of officers under his leadership since his tenure began in November 2008, with a major promoted to deputy chief, two new majors, three new captains, four new lieutenants and five new sergeants.

Also, Chief Norwood introduces the Richmond Police Department’s new top Command Staff structure with the appointment of three deputy chiefs. Eric English has risen through the ranks of the Department to become deputy chief of operations. John Buturla of Stratford, Conn., is the deputy chief of operations for support services, and Tonya Vincent of Arlington, Va., is deputy chief of administration.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

With steady detective work, strong community support and excellent officer patrol work, Richmond Police have arrested two people suspected of being involved in the shootings of two people last week in Hillside Court.

Devon C. Higgins, 21, of the 5800 block of the Kirkstone Circle, and Keeshawna M. Branch, 22, of the 2200 block of Keswick Avenue, were arrested yesterday around 1 a.m.

Higgins has been charged with malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Branch has been charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding. Photos of Higgins and Branch are attached.

At approximately 9:10 p.m. Thursday, April 14th, officers were called to the 1500 block of Harwood Street for a report of two people shot. Both were taken to VCU Medical Center with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Officers and detectives immediately began gathering evidence and information. The information obtained by community partners was critical in quickly developing suspects for this shooting.

Early Monday morning, First Precinct Officer Brian Wilson conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle with defective equipment. Driving the vehicle was Devon Higgins and his female passenger was Keeshawna Branch. Because of the excellent detective work in the case, Higgins and Branch already had warrants outstanding for the shootings. Officer Wilson quickly made the arrests without incident. The vehicle stop was conducted in Hillside Court.

Anyone with any further information about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637 first using the word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Monday, April 18, 2011

At 5 a.m. on Friday, April 15, Department officers received a call of a hit and run at the intersection of North Boulevard and West Broad Street. Officers found a female injured near the bus stop in front of the CVS Pharmacy.

She was transported to CJW Medical Center with a broken leg.

According to witnesses, a black or dark colored four-door sedan was driving north on North Boulevard when it passed through the intersection of West Broad Street and veered off the road to the right, striking the victim as she was at the bus stop. A male was seen driving the sedan and a female passenger was also in the car. The vehicle briefly stopped near the intersection of Myers Street before continuing northbound on North Boulevard.

The Department is currently looking for the vehicle and the driver. The vehicle may have sustained front-end damage.

Anyone with information about the incident, the vehicle or the driver is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637 first using the word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

At approximately 5:04 p.m. Sunday, Richmond Police officers responded to the 1200 block of North 4th Street for a report of a person shot.

When officers arrived, they found Melvin S. Edwards, 29, of the 2700 block of 4th Avenue, shot to death.

This appears to be an isolated incident, and investigators are still working to establish a motive. Investigators are following up on several leads, and are aggressively pursuing any witnesses to the crime.

Investigators are asking anyone with any information about this crime to call the Richmond Police Tipsline at 514-TIPS (8477) or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637 first using the word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Because of forecasts threatening thunderstorms Saturday, the Richmond Police Bomb Squad’s Beeping Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon April 16 is postponed until Saturday, April 30. The egg hunt will still be held at E. Claiborne Robins Stadium on the campus of the University of Richmond.

The Bomb Squad has partnered with the Virginia Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments to host this special Easter egg hunt for children who are visually impaired.

For more information or to register a child to participate in the hunt, please call Master Police Officer Mark Castillo at 646-0488.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Richmond Police investigators are again asking for the public’s help to identify the man who shot Michael K. Brown Jr. to death last month.

Investigators are releasing the below updated photos because the suspect who had an altercation with the victim that night was last seen wearing the same style shirt.

There is still a $6,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction in this case. Anyone with any information about this person or this incident is asked to call Detective Richard Edwards at (804) 646-3914, the Richmond the Department’s Tipline at (804) 514-TIPS or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637 first using the word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

At approximately 12:51 a.m. on March 13, Brown Jr., 20, of Glen Allen, was found suffering from a gunshot wound at 4th and East Main streets. He later died at the hospital.

The motive for this crime appears to have stemmed from an argument inside nearby Club Aurora earlier that evening.

The suspect is described as a black male with a light complexion who is approximately 5’10” to 6’01” tall. He has a slim to medium build; is 19 -25 years old and has very distinctive large spaces between his teeth. Witnesses also described him as having wavy hair kept in a short, close-cut style.

The suspect was patronizing Club Aurora at 401 E. Grace St. with several other individuals and was last seen a white t-shirt with the word “LEVI” on the front of it (like the photos below), dark pants and a black skull cap. Later in the night, he was also seen wearing a black hooded jacket.

Friday, April 8, 2011

The Richmond Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance to identify a suspect in an abduction attempt early this morning.

A 14-year-old female reported a man tried to abduct her in the 100 block of East 34th Street around 6:45 a.m. A passerby scared the man away. The teenager escaped unharmed.

Detectives have created a composite drawing of the suspect. He is a black male, 35 to 45 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a slim build. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black cargo pants, black sneakers and latex gloves.

Anyone with information about the suspect wanted in this abduction attempt is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both methods to provide tips are anonymous.

Assisting the Richmond Police Department that night were the Virginia State Police, the VCU Police Department, the Capitol Police Department, the Richmond Sheriff’s Office, the Richmond Fire Department, the Richmond Ambulance Authority, the Richmond Office of Emergency Management and other city departments.

“Together we created and executed a crowd-control plan that resulted in minor property damage and a few minor injuries,” said Richmond Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood.

“Considering the nature of the celebration, I commend all the officers and others involved that night for their restraint and their professionalism. I would also like to compliment the vast majority of VCU basketball fans who celebrated responsibly after each game during the team’s remarkable run to the Final Four.”

No mugshots were taken of the six people arrested. The Richmond Police Department does not identify whether those arrested were VCU students per Department policy.

Friday, April 1, 2011

The Richmond Police Department needs the public’s assistance identifying a suspect in a string of commercial burglaries along Jefferson Davis Highway.

The burglaries occurred from March 11 through March 31 on the southern end of the Jefferson Davis corridor. The suspect entered various businesses, including auto repair shops, a neighborhood convenience store and a restaurant. A total of seven businesses were burglarized. Items stolen during the break-ins range from cigarettes to money.

Anyone with information about the suspect wanted in these commercial burglaries is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both methods to provide tips are anonymous.